章 27: The First Trial (Part 1)
Blood trickled down Celine's palm as she pressed it against the ground, the crimson liquid spreading outward to form an intricate magic circle. The circle glowed ominously, and the blood twisted, materializing into a magical beast.
"Blood hound, huh?" Kai muttered under his breath. This was a basic Blood summon, often used for scouting, but it possessed surprising strength and speed. The Blood Hound stood as tall as a wolf, its skin thick and fur a deep crimson, reminiscent of fresh blood. Its eyes, a striking gold with black slits, glinted in the dim light.
"Yes," Celine confirmed, her voice steady. Kai had anticipated this. In Biola Kingdom, she had been revered for her ability to summon the Killer Serpent. In the original novel, however, she had never fully honed her other Blood Summons. This meant she frequently relied on the Killer Serpent, which, while powerful, grew monotonous for readers when overused. "I'm sorry I don't have better ones. I didn't have enough time to tame others."
"We can do that when you're done here," Kai assured her, watching as she summoned the next creature—a Blood Hawk. Its wings unfurled, catching the dim light of the cavern. "Alright, let's move."
They left the small cavern, Celine standing tall with her two Blood summons at her side. Kai walked beside her, ever vigilant as they navigated the narrow, rocky pathway. The surroundings were cloaked in shadows, and the beasts they might encounter were unknown to Celine.
Kai prepared himself mentally and physically for whatever lay ahead. Suddenly, the Blood Hound leaped forward, growling menacingly, as if warning something to stay back. The tension in the air thickened as something emerged from the shadows.
A humanoid magical beast materialized—a Shadow Monster. It stood on two legs, its body engulfed in a swirling mass of darkness. Its face was featureless, and it clutched a weapon made of shadows, a spear that exuded an aura of pure malice.
Kai took a deep breath, summoning the DragonTooth Dagger into his palm. The cold hilt sent a shiver up his arm, but he steadied himself, preparing to engage. The murderous intent radiating from the monster sent a chill down his spine.
"These aren't the shadow beasts I remember," he murmured under his breath, realizing the challenge ahead was far greater than he had anticipated. "He wasn't lying about it being a much stronger challenge."
The Blood Hound charged at the Shadow Monster, but Kai knew it wouldn't end well. He was right. A chilling silence enveloped the cavern as a slashing sound echoed through the air—the Blood Hound was cut in half, its remains landing on the ground with a sickening thud.
Kai inhaled sharply, his eyes narrowing. Without hesitation, he moved forward, dagger at the ready. The clash between his weapon, crackling with lightning, and the Shadow Monster's spear sent a shockwave rippling through the air.
'Damn you, Ken,' Kai thought, frustration coursing through him. He couldn't afford to unleash the full power of his Endowment here; the fear of collateral damage loomed large, as did the potential for other contestants to turn against him if they learned of his true strength.
The Shadow Monster took a step back, momentarily surprised by the force of the impact. Kai didn't waste a moment; he bent low, dodging the spear thrust aimed at him while swinging his dagger toward the monster's midsection. A clanging sound echoed as his blade collided with the Shadow Monster's spear.
'That was fast,' he thought, barely avoiding a follow-up strike. Steadying himself, he pulled back, channeling more of his Magicraft into the dagger. He unleashed a barrage of strikes, each one precise and calculated, aiming to break through the creature's defenses. But the Shadow Monster was quick, raising its spear to block every attack.
Kai pushed back, leaping away to create distance, his breath coming in quick bursts. 'He really made them stronger,' he realized. If he couldn't penetrate its defenses, how was he supposed to defeat it? Relying on the same strategies he used against demons wouldn't work—he needed a different approach.
"Kai, are you okay?" Celine called, taking a step forward. The remnants of the Blood Hound had dissipated into the air, and concern etched itself onto her face.
"It's fine," Kai replied, forcing a smile. "I have it under control." The truth, however, was far from reassuring. The environment constricted his movements, and he knew Ken had anticipated his every action. These trials were designed not just to test their abilities, but to confine them within a treacherous domain.
The Shadow Monster lunged forward, its spear slicing through the air with deadly intent. Kai barely managed to sidestep, feeling the rush of wind as it passed by. He needed to find a way to outmaneuver this monster, his breath grew bated as his eyes flashed - searching for all possible weaknesses across the monster.
There wasn't any weakness but there was something that he had been missing… the piece to defeating it.
'It's Magical Core,' Kai thought.
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